Vacuum electric tube



April 1930. E. Y. ROBINSON 7 1,754,120

VACUUM ELECTRIC TUBE Filed June 2.'7 192 4 4 Sheetsheet 1 P 1930- I E. Y. ROBINSON 1,754,120

VACUUM ELECTRIC TUBE Filed June 1924 4 shee swsheet 5 April 8, 1930;

E. Y. ROBINSON VACUUM ELECTRIC TUBE Filed June 27 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet m #5 W m 9 7 0 w M 7N 5 m a g E my, lm J 2 g g g M w, 1 5 a v M E m L? j L: E a Z n 1\n f? w M m 7 r/ W 5 5 2 94 5 5/ 5M; r fl w ww vm iw wL w Z v I L w Z Z M fi m5? 6 P j 7 L. Lu In. a nu H. MT \M T n K 4 7 g 1 A J \I lllllillllllllllllllll/ J n W J n. w? n". L; n A H 7% w. w 7 g A E77 April 8, 1930. E. Y. ROBINSON VACUUM ELECTRIC TUBE Filed June 27 924 4 SheetsSheet V JII i iza si f/f WWZM Amara Illillil Gl-Lllhl 1D,

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lltpplication filed June ttflfiilti, lterial Itto. thtfihtll, and in Great Zllritain July it Ill-ltd" This invention relates to vacuum electric tuhes'and in particular to methods of sup porting the electrodes in such tubes.

"the object of the invention is to provide it an improved construction wherebythe electrodes of vacuum electric tubes may be assemloled before they are inserted into the container so that small gaps hetween the electrodes may readily be provided. if desired llccordinpg to the invention all the electrodes are mounted on a framework which entirely supports them, said framework heconnected'to and supported by the con q tainer: The supporting frameworlr may consist of insulating material such as glass which preferably has a high meltine; point for ere rrmpie pyrer glass hut in the preferred form consists in part of metal and in part of insulating material, The supporting; framework is mounted on or supported by tne container preferably by means of metallic ,tachmenta In one forr said frameworlr is sup W ported hy clips from ire-entrant stem hioh; may be the fQ-Qlltttttll] tube which can s the leadinrein to the device or other wE-l attached hereto 4 lfiurthermoren, in the pi mayor m mbers of the "ame ttl electrodes para are supported. in followinp; ma etallic cross-pieces f members tems and holes proiections means trodes Fanp'er v ution meet a ,ctrodes 1 "their len pend or con act purpose one o "eces may c odes m erred method the p n'iounted on the supporting; framework. if

desired the electrodes may be held in tension" To enable the invention to be clearly understood it will now be described with refer ence to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is an elevation of a vacuum electric tube having the electrodes supported on the framework in accordance with the invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 are plan views of details. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail perspective views of electrode supporting cross members of chantill nel, section employed in the construction 7 shown in Figure 1. Figs. 6, 'l' and hare re" spectively a transverse section and front and side elevations of a further electrode structure comprising two distinct supporting frameworks and Figsril to 12 inclusive are views of details thereof, hip". 13 represents vertical. section of a vacuum electric tube embodying; an elect-refile-supporting frameworr constituted as shown in l igr. 'l to 12.

'ifiigrs, it and 15 are respectively front and side elevations of a still further electrode struc ure, and to are views of d et ils thereof lflimila reference numerals teed where pcssilole in the several. figures of ie drawcferring to l It, one the uated envelope It has witl 'L an elecassemhly comprising; parallel ode ame 7' node The lel members inst to ial. such as ,QTltlSE or steatite side members are connected o ueir upper ends ay means or memh r ti of nicl'el for errarn] d of sheet l the upper ers are fitted, nnected to the members hindin icated poi ion it contains a r v 0 n para soclretlfl cor to wl'lich attached ii u .h. the filament cathode Q; placed in tension as will be hereinafter described. The central socket 10 is preferably provided with a window 13 to permit'inspection of the hook 11 and spring l2.-

The insulating members 5 are connected t-v gether at their lower ends by means of a metallic clamping member 14 of nickel for example which is secured tothe members by means of the binding wire-indicated at 15 The member 14 is adapted to be clamped in any suitable manner to the re -entrant tube 16 which is sealed at 17 to the lower end of the envelope 1. The re-entrant tube 16 is provided at its upper end with a pinch or seal 18 through which pass the leading-in wires 19 to the filament as will be well understood by thoseskilled in the art. The members 5,

i 7 and l lthus constitute a rigid rectangular framework upon which the anode and cathode are supported in such a manner that they are registered with respect to one another as will benow described. Y

The lower ends of the cathode filaments 2 are connected respectively to supporting cross members 20 and 21, which comprise sheet metal of relatively thick gauge and are provided with eyes 22 at their ends into which the side members 5 are fitted. The members 20 and 21 are separatedfrom one another by insulating washers 23 of glass or steatite for example and are prevented from moving in an upward direction along the side members 5 by means of enlargements 24 provided on the latter. Said members 20 and 21 may be secured on the side members 5 and prevented from sliding towards the end 14 by binding wire (not shown) or otherwise but this is not necessary since they are pulled up against the 'stop 24 by the filaments. The cathode filaments 2 and the lead-in wires 19 are respectively welded to the members 20 and 21. The other ends of the cathode filaments 2 ,(fare attached to a cross piece 25 which is provided with a hook or loop 26 which in turn is engaged by the spring .12 for maintaining the filaments in tension. By the arrangement described the two filaments 2 and the rectangular supporting framework are maintained in one plane. r

The filaments 2 pass through perforations in a cross piece 27 which thus serves effec tively to register the cathode with respect to'the rectangular framework. The cross member 27 which is conveniently of sheet is confined to inter-electrode gaps: the filaments at the other ends are maintained cool by means of the members 20 and 21.

The anode 3 comprises a pair of similar superposed plates 29 of molybdenum or nickel for example, (see especially Fig. 2) each of which is provided with two parallel semi cylindrical channels 30 so disposed that when the plates 29 are placed together two cylindrical tunnels are provided through which the filament 2 passes. The two plates 29 may 'be connected together by means of staples 31, by welding or otherwlse. The anode thus -constituted is so located within the rectangular framework thatit lies in the plane of the latter. It is secured to said rectangular framework by means of a group or plurality of cross pieces 32 and 32, three of which are shown in Fig. 1 and one of which is shown in plan in Fig. 3. Each cross piece 32 or 32 is formed of sheet metal and is provided at its ends with perforations 34 through 'w'hich the side members 5 of the framework pass. Each plate is also centrally provided with a slot 35 comprising a rectangular portion and tWo circular portions so that its shape is similar to the external contour of the anode the slot being wider than the flat portions of the anode so that the anode is registered by the tunnels therein as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. One of these cross pieces, for instance the upper one 32, is preferably formed as illustrated of channel section as shown in Fig. 5 to provide rigidity. The remaining cross pieces 32 are preferably flexible to permit expansion of the anode. The arrangement, however, is such that the anode is always constrained with reference to the framework and consequently also with reference to the cathode except in a longitudinal direction. In this manner the tensioned filament is prevented from touching the anode whereby the inter-electrode gap may be made short. The anode is secured to one of the cross pieces, for example to the upper cross piece 32, by welding or by the provision of one or more tongues on one of these members adapted to engage the other member. The cross pieces are secured in position upon the side members 5 by means for example of the bindin wire indicated at 36. It will be noted that the cross pieces 32 and 32 provide additional strength and rigidity to the rectangular framework.

The anode is connected to the rigid cross piece which in turn is connected to a lead-in wire 37 which passes through aseal 38 in the upper end of the envelope 1.- Alternatively the lead-in wire may pass through. the

' the short-circuiting strip 30 is attached to the frame member 68 by means of flexible con; ductor 97.

With the construction above described it will be appreciated that-the filament is registered at a number of points along its length and at the same time a long leakage path is obtainable between the filament supports and 1 the anode supports. The complete electrode structure may be assembled in an envelope in the manner now to be described'with reference to Fig. 13 wherein for simplicity only the main members of the structure are illustrated.

The-envelope is indicated at 98 and comprises as shown a relatively large central portion merging into two substantially cylindrical end portions of smaller diameter. The

' electrode structure is supported within the smaller end portions of the envelope 98 by means of two resilient rings 99 attached to the extremities'of the main framework. Re-en trant tubes-100 are provided at the ends of the envelope. The five tapping points to the filament, that is tosay the the four wires 93 and a conductor connected withthe upper frame member 68, pass through a seal on the upper resentrant tube whilst the two filament leads connected with the wires 81 pass through a seal on the lower reentrant tube. The lead-in wire'101 for the anodepassesthrough a separate seal 102 in the envelope 98. framework is flexibly attachedto the. upper re-entrant tube 100 by means of a clip 103 connected with the frame by members 104. The connectionto the clamp 103 is merely flexible and has only .sufiicient' rigidityto. re-

. strain the framework in a lateral direction,

. materialsuch as glass or steatite, namely themotion in other directions being prevented by the resilient rings 99.. This arrangement enables. the electrode structure to be readily assembled in the envelope and rigidly holds it'against movement in an axial direction.

When the device illustrated in Figs. 7 to 13 inclusive is of the three-electrode type thegrid is advantageously supported by .the oath odesupporting framework. H

In the electrode structure illustrated in' Figs. 14 and 15 the supporting framework comprises four parallel rods of insulating two rods 144 and the two rods 145 which are in-a plane at right angles to the rods144.

The rods are i supported in metallic end members 146 -and 147. The end member 146' which is shown in plan in Fig. 16 comprises a cross-shaped member having four. arms 148 atrlght angles to one another, each having at its extremity a-socket 149 for the end of an insulating rod.- The sockets 149 may be clamped upon the ends ofthe rods 144 and 145 by means of the binding wire indicated at 150.

' a. or by othermeans.

which "is illustrated in plan in Fig. 17 is simi- The lower member 147 lar to the member 146 illustrated inFig. 16 .ex-

The f cept that it is provided with a pair of additional sockets 151 the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained;

The anode and filament are of the type described in Figs. 1 and 2. The anode in the example illustrated comprises two portions 152 and 153 which are in alignment with one an-' to provide rigidity and to which the anode is secured, for instance by means of the tags 155.

The cathode is mounted in the manner described in my Patent. No. 1,720,442 granted July 9 1929.

- 7 he two filaments 2 are attached at their lower ends to two nickelrods 156 which are mounted in alignment with the filaments and the upper ends of which are drilled to receive the ends of the filaments which are welded therein. The nickel rods 156 are supported by the lower frame member 147 and pass through insulating bushings of steatite, glass or the like 157 which areclamped within the" clamps 1510f said lower member. The upper ends of the nickel rods 156 are registered with respect tothe framework by means of respective crossmembers 158 one of which is shown in plan in Fig. 18. Each cross mefni-Z her 158 is provided with end perforations 159 bymeans ofwhich it is mounted upon the insulating frame members and with a laterally displaced central perforation 160 through which -a nickel member 156 passes.

Thetwo cross pieces'158 are spaced apart by means of an insulating washer 161.- The cross pieces 15 8 are secured upon the rods 145 by means of rectangular sheet metal members 163 having perforations 164 by means of which they can be threaded upon the rods 145 ing wire as shown.

One of such members is shown separately in perspective in Fig. 19. The upper ends of the filaments are pro-' vided with tabs 165 to which are attached ten- 'sionin springs 12 which are in turn attached to hoo s eonnected to, the frame member 146.. The ends of-the filaments are 'short-circuited by means of the flexiblestrip 28 and the filaments are registered by means of a cross strip 166 which is illustrated in plan in Fig. 20.

Said strip is supported upon the frame m'embers 145 and has welded to it a transverse wire 167 of molybdenum or tungsten for example having at its ends eyes 168 throughv whereon they are secured by means of bind- 115 which'the filaments pass. The filamentsare Zl,t'lt,85[l

np; into the anocle tunnels compare ll the space current will not escape rte tainecleoel by reason at the .ae rnenabers l6 necessary the may be prerente through the perforations by :urean oi shields rao'untecl upon the cross loll whieh are oi course in electrical connection at h the portionoli the filament enis be shielloleet The niain supporting tranaewo h' be inaunterl within he yalye'enyelope in sireol roannen la is eonteniently rnountecl rein by means at the 99 eleseribecl in connection with lhigsa l, 8 ancl .lt will be unclerstoocl that various nroelitications may be needle in the construction at the liranieworlr anrl. the noounting oil the elec trorles thereon without departing :tronu the scope ot the r ll claim as fn inyentionz ,y ethrough o'" ring tothe tact the he cathorle which are adjacent tl "will be in "l l3 on t eyer lltl electroole structure comprising rigicl elonpgatecl support, a plurality of electrocle r riers having portions engaging; saitl s ancl constrained to more on' e longitudinally thereoi: a lon iturlinally ancl posit in For a vacuum space current clerics, an

corr he electi o position the the aisle members of saicl vacuum space current cleyice, an otle structure comprising a rigicl lranre wo r at least in part of insulating material wit l a plurality oi parallel sirle members, an ole trotle, anrl; a plurality olf parallel cross members having eyes through which said sirle nneuibers pass slirlably to aline the cross rnenibers longitudinally at the iframeworlr,

saicl cross members having electrode-engagleg portions which corresponnl with the shape oi the electrode ancl are alinecl, when the cross members are 'alinerl on the ltrarneworlr;

position the electrorle parallel with the sicle members out saicl ilraineworln llor yacuurn space current tlevice, an electrocle structure comprising a rigicl traine worlr at least in part of insulating material with a plurality of parallel sicle inenihers whiclrthroughout at least a part or" their length are of uniform cross sectioinan elee trocle, ancl a plurality ot parallel eross rnenr hers having a plurality ct our-laces which re spectiyely embrace sliclably aaicl sicle rnern bers anrl thereby aline the cross rnernbers longitudinally oil the t iaineworlr, saicl cross inernbers hayingelectrode-engaging portions which correspond inshape with the cross sec-- tion of the electrodle which they engage and which portions are alinecl, when the cross V members are'alineel, to position the electroole with respect to saicl tranieworlranal to con-- strain the, electrode to move only in a clirection longitudinally oil the traineworln llor vacuum space current clerics, an electrorle strr ure comprising a support era hoelying a rigicl lirarneworlr at least in part of in ulating ma erial. an plurality of l l sicle members, an anorle, and. a plu ineinbers h vi eyes an allele lon Lnally re inc ibers aline ie' ioers longitudin l r, on the liranoe saint cross members he m other eyes rec" noinerl anal-location which linen, when the crew members are alinerl aineworlr, anrl einbrace the anocle t points inits let th anclthereby anal position. the anorle in the frameconstrain i naore only in threeclinally all the :tranreworh ruurn current clerics, an

Sure eonipri. ntles haying pr ta eo-airially arranged, at eleetrotle supporting members for l hayin ortions which lOtl support, 7

slidably engage said support longitudinally and thereby aline said'members longitudinally thereon, said members having electrode-positioning portions of predetermined location thereon which are alined when said. members are alined with respect to said support, and

. 'supcporting means for another of said electro es including an additional electrode supporting member having a portion which slidably engages said support longitudinally and also having an electrode positioning portion of predetermined location thereon which is alined with the electrode positioning portion straining them to move only in the direction of their axis. 7. For-a vacuum space current device, an electrode structure comprising a rigid framework at least in part of insulating material with a plurality of parallel side members,

an electrode, a plurality of parallel cross members having-portions which are slidable longitudinally on to said parallel side members to aline said cross members longitudinally thereon, said cross members having electrode pos1t1on1'ng-portions of predetermined shape and location which are alined when said cross members are alined, and engage the electrode at different points in-its length and thereby position the electrode transversely with respect 'to the framework, and

means for preventing longitudinal movement of said electrode as a whole with said parallel sideimembers.

respect to B. Fora vacuum space current device, an

electrode structure comprisinga framework at least in partof insulating material and embodying a main rigid frame and an auxiliary frame supported by the main frame, said frames having arallel side members, a plurality of electro cross members for supporting one'of said electrodes having portions engaging the parallel side members of the main frame to aline said group of cross members on the main frame, said group of cross members haying electrode-positioning portions of'predetermined location thereon to'engageits respective electrode at different'pomts in its length and supporting means for another of said elec-r trodes including a'cross memberhaving portions en aging the parallel side members -of the auxi 'ary frameand also having an elec-.

mode-positioning portion of predeterminedlocation thereon and engagingits respective said fixed cross membersl esgi group of parallel electrode, said cross members thereby positioning the electrodes transversely with respect to one another.

9. For a vacuum space current device, an electrode structure comprising a rigid framework at least in part of insulating material and consisting of end members and parallel side members, a group of parallel cross members having portions which slidably embrace parallel side members of the framework and thereby aline said cross members longitudinally of the framework, said cross members having positioning portions for one electrode which are in common alinement when the cross members are alined, an additional cross member having portions slidably embracing side members of the framework and also having an electrode-positioning portion, a filament cathode connected at one end with one end member of the framework and means. supported on the framew rk and connected to and supporting the ther end of the cathode, said filament cathode being engaged between its ends by the electrode-positioning portion of said additional cross member, and

.an anode engaged: at different points in its length by the electrode-positioning portions of said group of cross members, said cathode and anode being thereby spaced with respectv to one another.-

10. Fora vacuumspace current device, an

electrode structure comprising a rigid framework at least in part of insulating material with a, plurality of parallel side members, a plurality ofparallel cross members'having portions which embrace said arallel side members and thereby aline sai cross mem-"- bers on saidframework, said cross members having electrode-positioning portions thereon which are alined when said cross members are alined on the framework, certain of said cross members being rigidly fixed to said, parallel side members, at least one electrode positioned at intervals in its length on said cross members by sliding engagement with the 'electrodeositioning portions thereof, said electrode eing fixed to at least one of 11. For a vacuum space current device, an electrode structure comprising a rigid framework composed in part of insulating material and in part of metal and'havinglongitudinal members, a plurality of cooperating electrodes, a group of cross members for supporting one of said'electrodes having por-' tions which engage longitudinal members of the framework and thereby aline said cross members longitudinally thereon, supporting I means for another'of saidelectrodes including an additional cross member having portions which engage longitudinal members of the framework, said group of cross members" bein insulated from said additional cross' memier by said insulating material of the fram work, and g o p of, cros mem r having electrode-positioning portions in predetermined position thereon which are alined cross member having an e1ectrode-positi0n-' ing portion in predetermined position there, on which engages and posltlons its respective electrode.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of June, 1924.

ERNEST YEQMAN ROBINSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,754,120.

Granted April 8,. 1930, to

ERNEST YEOMAN ROBINSON.

It is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneously issued to "llIetropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company, Limited", whereas said patent should have been issued to Associated Electrical Industries, Limited, a company organized under Laws of Great Britain", said company being assignee of the entire interest in said invention, as shownby the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may-conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of June, A. D. 1930.

(Seal) I M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

